I had just about given up on the library when I spied Jimmy back in the corner, head down in a book – naturally. He was in the history section, where no one else was seated. He didn’t want to go home. His shiftless, drunk of a father would be there, and Jimmy would have to face him when he went home to cook supper for them both. The school building had closed to students over two hours ago, and the janitor had finally boo...

I came out of my bedroom to find my housemate Charlotte gazing at herself in a full-length mirror. She looked quite pretty dressed up in a long blue dress for her sister Sara’s wedding. Her brown hair was trimmed and styled better than I had ever seen it before. A little silver pendant holding a ruby hung from a chain around her neck. Charlotte had even put on makeup beyond just lipstick, a rarity for her. “What do you th...

Oh, Mother of Sorrows, lamenting Mother blest! Laden with grief, You clutched Your beloved Son to Your chest. A sword pierced Your heart as You held Your lifeless Son. A moan poured forth from Your grieving soul, inconsolable as You were. Oh, Sorrowful Mother, how somber were the tears Your soul wept. Eyes heavy with sadness, cast downward to behold Your only begotten One. Oh, Mother of Sorrows, Your hands covered with th...

Your world, a neat compact sphere of wool, rolling through this meaningless void. Gathering more and more material, making it denser. Each tightly woven piece of fabric, interlacing and constricting the form. A ball of pure habitual behavior. Years and decades of gravity, hardening the core. Making it almost impossible to penetrate. Then one day, someone comes along and begins to pull on a single strand of cotton. Thus be...

Mitzy was poking her peas around the plate one night at dinner. Her parents exchanged a look, silently asking the other which one of them would ask their daughter what was going on first, like an invisible game of rock paper scissors, before one of her fathers cleared his throat. “You got a grievance with the peas? You are moving them around your plate with an air of disinterest and I thought they were your most favorite...

The 27-year-old Maryam has been left alone with her young cousins. Soheila, Maryam's aunt, left her children there and then went away with Maryam's mother in haste. Several hours later, Soheila calls Maryam's house. Ring... Ring... Ring. Maryam picks up the phone. "Hello?" "Maryam, it's Soheila. Listen, I have some bad news. Your grandmother wasn't feeling well, so we had to take her to a hospital. Your mother and I are g...

I entered the bustling café, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation, and was greeted by the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversation. Scanning the crowded room, I searched for Jess, hoping to catch her eye and share a moment of connection. However, to my dismay, I noticed her engrossed in conversation with her colleague, oblivious to my presence. From a distance, I observed their anima...

In my hour of weakness, I forget what it means to be strong It's calling to me, beckoning me with its hypnotic song I feel the breeze brush my skin, it’s been so long Its melody moves me yet my gut tells me that this is wrong Dense fog blankets the city street Cold, wet pavement slaps against my bare feet Its voice grows louder yet remains ever-sweet As I follow blindly along the path of concrete Streetlights extinguish a...

October 30, 1938 About a half mile into the Detroit-Windsor tunnel, I smell oil burning from running the engine so hard. I pat the dashboard of my old pickup. “Hang in there, baby.” I’m struggling to drive while rotating my head like a damn owl, worrying the walls will collapse around us at any moment. The Detroit River would surely swallow us whole. To make matters worse, we lost the radio when we went underground, so I...

He speaks to me, I hear Him say, "Follow me, My child, I'll lead the way. Keep My commands in all you do, Love your fellow man, As I love you. Just speak to Me, That's all it takes, To ease the pain, When your heart aches. I'm no farther than a prayer away, Anytime, Night or day. And when it's your time, Just take My Hand, And We'll walk together into The Promised Land."

Every day You were near In every way You were present Until one day you weren't Every word I spoke Every thought I uttered You genuinely heard Until one day you couldn't Every dream I had Every fantasy I envisioned You lovingly fostered Until one day you shouldn't You affectionately accepted Every morsel offered Never asked for more Until one day you didn't I leaned on you For everything Every day and every night You were...

They say it's rude to stare. But what if I can't help myself? What if all I want to do is stare at you? Would you allow me the pleasure Of learning you inside and out? Would you let me love you The way you were meant to be? Is it too much to ask That you love me in return? Am I a fool to think That you would ever feel the same? I can feel your soul around me Whenever I hear your voice Reminding me this mortal separation W...

The garments of Autumn's patchwork leaves of green, now nature's basket of red and gold falling to a breeze, stars twinkling at dusk twilight in a kaleidoscope of dreams imagination listening to the symphony of crickets karaoke watching the inhabitants among the trees playing the strings of a midnight rain whispering the secrets where spirits embrace the garments of Autumn's patchwork leaves

The klaxon alarm that heralded the evacuation of Terra Prime still haunts my dreams. Even though I am a safe colonist on Lunar Prime. The desolate floating of everything on this rock feels like the primal birth of something voidal, gaping, and incessant. Like a fly buzzing just on the outside of your perception barrier. Taunting and also easy to dismiss with enough distraction. The trouble is, distractions like food ratio...

Chapter 1 Atticus sat with his friends at Pizza Hut, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement and relief after they had all successfully passed their final exams. The aroma of freshly baked pizza and the sound of cheerful chatter filled the air as they indulged in a well-deserved celebration. Atticus was described as an athletic-built young man with milky white skin, raven black hair styled straight to his shoulders with a...